As what many expected, the latest galactic escapade from Lucasfilm topped the box office. However, it didn't even come close to expectations. The spin-off, Solo, pulled in $84.4 million over the three-day stretch ($19,270 per-venue average), and $103 million over the four-day holiday weekend. That might sound decent on paper, but when the expectation was for at least $130 million over the four-day stretch (some projecting $150 million), you know you have a disappointment on your hands. The film also bombed overseas, with just a $65 million debut (including China) in just about all overseas territories. In comparison, the previous Star Wars spin-off, Rogue One, managed a $155 million domestic debut on its way to a $1.05 billion worldwide final gross. Meanwhile, last December's (divisive) Star Wars: The Last Jedi pulled in a $220 million opening on its way to a $1.3 billion finish.So...what went wrong? That can be chalked up to a variety of factors. First, there was a lot of behind-the-scenes drama for this spin-off that was widely publicized. The firing of original directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller in favor of Ron Howard already cast a shadow of doubt on general moviegoers. Secondly, opening just five months after The Last Jedi definitely seemed like too short of a wait (even if its not in the original line of movies). And speaking of The Last Jedi, the divided opinion regarding that movie didn't help matters for Solo either. Finally, opening in a crowded marketplace in the wake of Avengers: Infinity War and Deadpool 2 (which both are still pulling in large crowds) only made things worse. Perhaps having it debut in December like the last three might would have helped it out more tremendously (though blockbuster competition for this coming December is pretty strong too).
With a $250 million production budget ($50 million more than Jedi, likely ballooned thanks to extensive reshoots), its' going to be challenging for this movie to even match that number stateside. Reviews were unexpectedly solid (70% on Rotten Tomatoes), though not nearly as good as the previous three movies. Audiences gave it an "A-" CinemaScore, which could point to a decent run. But, with the huge budget (not including the money spent on marketing), we could be looking at a rare big loss for Disney.
Following its strong debut last weekend, Deadpool 2 definitely felt the sting of competition for its predominately male audience. The sequel freefell 65% in its sophomore frame to $43.5 million, and $53.8 million including Monday. In 11 days, the Merc with a Mouth has amassed a very good $218.5 million, in the face of a budget that's less than half of Solo's ($110 million). The film continues to be huge overseas too, with a worldwide gross already at $500 million in just over a week. Whether or not it holds stronger from here is anyone's guess, though.
Despite strong competition from a fellow Disney title, Avengers: Infinity War continued to play, and had perhaps its best hold to date. In its fifth full weekend, the penultimate installment of the MCU was down only 41% over the three-day weekend to $17.3 million ($22.5 million including Monday). In one month of release, the blockbuster has earned a huge $627.6 million, passing The Last Jedi ($620 million) and the original Avengers ($623 million) for sixth place on the all-time chart domestically. The film looks like it will also have enough steam left also to pass Jurassic World ($652 million) and Titanic ($659 million) to jump up to fourth place. Overseas, it has passed $1.9 billion, ranking fourth, and hoping to pass $2 billion before it's run ends.
Holding strong in fourth place was the comedy alternative for older females, Book Club. The PG-13 comedy was off just 26% in its sophomore frame to $10.1 million ($13.1 million including Monday), for a very good $35.3 million pick-up in 10 days with plenty to go. Making up some ground was another PG-13 comedy, Life of the Party, which was off just 29% in its third frame to $5.4 million ($6.9 million including Monday). Melissa McCarthy's latest is still trailing most of her comparable films by a wide margin however, with just $40.9 million picked up in 17 days.
Crime thriller Breaking In followed with a better hold than last week, off 37% to $4.3 million ($5.5 million including Monday), for a solid $37.1 million in 17 days, or over six times its $6 million budget. In the face of controversy from family groups this past week, Show Dogs was down 46% in its sophomore frame to $3.3 million ($4.3 million 4-day), for a weak $11.9 million gross in 11 days, with very little to go.
The Overboard remake followed with a 32% decline to $3.1 million ($4.1 million including Monday), for a successful $42.6 million gross in 24 days, on its way to around $50 million. A Quiet Place spent an eighth-straight weekend in the Top 10, down 38% to $2.4 million ($3.1 million including Monday). The smash hit has earned a fantastic $180.8 million in 56 days, or over 10 times its $17 million production budget.
Rounding out the Top 10 once again was international release RBG, which expanded to 40 more locations. The weekend gross inched up 3% as a result to $1.3 million ($1.7 million including Monday). The film has earned $6.2 million since its limited debut 24 days ago.
And that's it for Memorial Day Weekend. Next week, June starts off with three smaller releases. The one with the biggest potential right now is Shailene Woodley and Sam Clafin in their true story flick Adrift, while Johnny Knoxville stars in Action Point. The Top 2 should remain unchanged as Hollywood takes a weekend break from blockbuster releases. Of course, look out for the weekend predictions report on Thursday. :)
